Dallas, Texas

Making their way up the driveway on Sunday afternoon, Bobby spotted his mother tending to her flowers on the patio and before he had any time to prep Pam again for what they were about to encounter, the situation had already left his control; his mother turning and smiling before quizzically observing them as he parked. Waiting patiently by the hedge between the house and the driveway as he got out and walked around to the passenger side to assist Pam, the time it took to walk from his car to the patio was far too short and before long, they were face-to-face with her.

"Pam, this is my mama, and mama, this is Pamela, my wife", jumping straight into it, seeing no reason not to, he couldn't exactly say he was surprised when his mother repeated his own word back to him in shock, "wife?" Nodding, he looked at Pam as he held her hand in his, lifting it so his mother could see her engagement ring and more importantly, her wedding band, flashing his own as he responded gleefully, "yes, we were married on Friday". He was personally delighted to be married, but he could tell it was going to take a little while before his family reciprocated his feelings when his mother replied, "I don't know what to say", in a disbelieving tone.

"How about congratulations? Good luck? Maybe even just hello", understanding that it was a surprise, he hoped that when his family eventually got past the initial shock, it would come easily to them to share his and Pam's happiness. He knew his family, they were good, nice people, and were more than capable of showing that, especially his mama, she was a family-minded lady, her sons, daughter-in-law and grandchildren meant everything to her and he wished she would remember that right now, despite her surprise at the new addition to their family.

"Hello", listening to his mama as she chose to use the least personal option he'd suggested, he frowned at the thought that she couldn't even wish them well at this point in time; it was shocking, yes, but it was good news and why she couldn't seem to bring herself to acknowledge that was beyond him. "Nice to meet you Mrs Ewing", turning his head as he heard Pam politely replying, his mood improved a bit. Whatever his family's reaction to their marriage, they had each other and that was what was truly important. He loved Pam, she loved him, and they were going to have a long, happy life together, no matter what anyone else thought, did, or said.

"Please, Miss Ellie, and it's nice to see you again Pamela, you're looking much more grown up than the last time we met", responding in a much warmer tone than she had used just moments ago, his mother surprised both him and Pam with her comments. "I'm sorry Miss Ellie, I don't recall us meeting before", verbalising her confusion in response, Pam looked back and forth between the two of them as if it perhaps expecting he had an answer for her, which he didn't, but his mother did.

"You probably wouldn't, you were just a girl then. You are Digger Barnes' daughter aren't you?" surprising both of them with her knowledge, this time it was his turn to look back and forth, from his wife to his mother and back again. It didn't make much sense to him and it seemed he wasn't alone. How did his mother know who Pam was, but neither he, Sue Ellen, or JR had had any idea? "Yes. How did you know that?" answering hesitantly, Pam followed up by asking the exact question he wanted to know the answer to.

"I know a lot. Why don't you come on inside and I'll tell you, and everyone else about it, and you two can tell all of us how this happened and why it's such a surprise to us now", making a suggestion they couldn't really say no to, they looked at each other perplexedly again before following Miss Ellie inside.

Holding Pam's hand tightly, anticipating what he knew would be a sceptical crowd at first, until they really got to know Pam for who she was herself, not who her family were, Bobby's unspoken worries dissipated as they walked into the empty foyer. Noticing how quiet the house was, he looked around a couple of times before asking, "mama, where is everyone?" It wasn't unusual for various family members to be out doing something, it was the weekend after all, however, the complete silence surrounding them was almost deafening when he compared it to what he had expected to find inside.

"JR and Sue Ellen are up at the lake house, your daddy is out showing Jack the ranch, and Lucy is down at the stables with John Ross. They'll all be here soon enough, don't you worry about that. This is big news and big news always draws a crowd", listening as his mother explained the situation to him, using a tone which indicated they were in for an experience, good or bad, he gave her a weak smile. He wasn't the least bit worried about his family not returning home, what concerned him more was the reality of her latter comment. Crowds, especially a crowd of Ewings, always had something to say, and usually he was interested and happy to hear what they had to say, but with Pam being a Barnes and their marriage coming as such a surprise, he wasn't exactly looking forward to the initial reaction to their news.

"In that case, would you mind if I showed Pamela upstairs to freshen up before we face the inquisition", making a joke to lighten the mood, he felt from both the look his mother gave him and the way Pam held his hand tightly that perhaps they were all beginning to realise how heavy things were about to get. "No, of course not. I'll make some calls and have Raoul bring your bags up", returning his own weak smile and nodding at the staircase, he was overcome by a familiar feeling, one he hadn't experienced since he was much younger, he was his mother's son, this was her home and she was excusing him.

He didn't need to be told twice that he could leave what was proving to be a confusing, somewhat tense situation, and with that knowledge he guided Pam upstairs, keeping their hands tightly wound together until they entered his bedroom and closed the door behind them. "Your mama seems nice", speaking as she looked around, taking in the new surroundings, he knew Pam was trying hard to see the positive side of things and he was grateful because he wanted her to give his family a chance, just like she had given him, and he understood how discouraging it could be when that effort wasn't reciprocated.

"She is, I told you there was nothing to worry about", running with her positivity, at least outwardly, he couldn't exactly say he believed what he said, but it was better than deflating her completely by disagreeing. "Forgive me for withholding judgment on whether I believe that or not until after I've met the rest of your family", answering him, it appeared his reassuring comment had been just a little too much, because even without knowing how his mama usually reacted to new people, she knew enough to know they weren't out of the woods just yet.

To be continued…